Key players to put your team ahead of the pursuing pack on the Flat this summer

Before the launch of the Flat Ten To Follow competition last year I wrote that anyone in with a chance of winning had to come up with a list packed with Group 1 performers, such was the way in which the competition was weighted towards races at the top level. That is even more true this year.

In 2020, 25 bonus races included handicaps such as the Stewards’ Cup, the Ebor, Ayr Gold Cup and Tote Challenge Cup. This time, with the normal calendar back in place and the competition launching in time for the Qipco Guineas festival, the 2,000 Guineas, 1,000 Guineas and their Irish equivalents are all part of the bonus list and there is no room at all for the handicaps.

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The following list of 50 key horses is therefore confined solely to those with Group 1 potential this year, and there is also a good reason it is tilted slightly in favour of three-year-olds and colts or geldings. Of the 25 bonus races, ten are restricted to the Classic generation and, while the 15 other races were all won by older horses last season, that was very much a one-off – the overall score in these bonus races had been 14-11, 15-10 and 14-11 in favour of three-year-olds in the previous three years.

Similarly, with no bonus race outside the Classics restricted to females, older fillies and mares need to take on the males to score heavily.

Adayar
3yo colt; trainer Charlie Appleby
Stoutly bred colt who made a big impression on his second run last season at Nottingham, storming home by nine lengths, and caught the eye when second in the Sandown Classic Trial first time out; came from a long way back in a race that seemed to favour prominent racers and could well step up into a Derby horse.

Addeybb's finest hour in Britain came in last year's Qipco Champion StakesCredit: Mark Cranham

Addeybb
7yo gelding; William Haggas
Has got better with age and enjoyed his finest hour when winning last season’s Champion Stakes to gain a first Group 1 win in Europe; has also won three times at the top level in Australia, including just this month; best on soft ground, although ran well on good when second in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot; best opportunities again likely to come in the autumn.

Alcohol Free
3yo filly; Andrew Balding
Won Cheveley Park Stakes, taking a big step forward (as anticipated in the market) after looking green when second at Salisbury on her previous run; made a successful start in the Fred Darling and now on course for the 1,000 Guineas, though not certain to get a mile on pedigree.

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Alpine Star
4yo filly; Jessica Harrington
Consistent in Group 1s last season, although couldn’t build on runaway victory in the Coronation Stakes when second on all three subsequent runs; yet to match outstanding mile form over further, being touched off in the Prix de Diane and Prix de l’Opera; can again be a force in Group 1 fillies’ races and perhaps against boys too.

Battaash
7yo gelding; Charlie Hills
Explosive sprinter who has become more reliable with age and won all three races last season; broke Royal Ascot duck in the King’s Stand Stakes and added a second Nunthorpe victory either side of fourth straight King George Stakes; doubt for Royal Ascot after winter setback but that’s perhaps the only negative these days about the best sprinter around.

Battleground
3yo colt; Aidan O’Brien
Seen as Aidan O’Brien’s top two-year-old throughout last season and won the Chesham and Vintage Stakes; didn’t get the Group 1 win to back that up, missing the National Stakes and finishing second at the Breeders’ Cup (raced wide); 2,000 Guineas favourite through the winter but might miss Newmarket to wait for Longchamp or the Curragh.

Bolshoi Ballet
3yo colt; Aidan O’Brien
Looked smart when winning a Leopardstown maiden by four lengths last season, improving on debut third at Newmarket; disappointing when stepped up to Group 1 level at Saint-Cloud, finishing only fifth, but proved better than that with a comfortable win in the Ballysax first time out; looks a likely Derby contender.

Chindit
3yo colt; Richard Hannon
Looked a top-class two-year-old in winning first three races, including the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster, but was well beaten in the Dewhurst when reported to hang right (may not have appreciated soft ground); back on track when returned to faster surface to win the Greenham and should stay mile of 2,000 Guineas.

Dream Of Dreams
7yo gelding; Sir Michael Stoute
Much more consistent last season after a gelding operation and earned a maiden Group 1 win in the Sprint Cup at Haydock after a second near miss in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes; effective at 7f and won Hungerford Stakes by seven lengths; sure to be on the premises in Group 1 sprints again.

Gear Up
3yo colt; Mark Johnston
Pulled off a surprise in Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud, proving a strong stayer over 1m2f on heavy; had earlier won the Acomb Stakes and might not have enjoyed Newmarket’s undulations when fourth in the Royal Lodge (on and off the bridle); rated a real dark horse by connections and could develop into a St Leger horse.

Glass Slippers has the Flying Five among her Group 1 successesCredit: Patrick McCann

5yo mare; Kevin Ryan
Top-class sprinter who has won three Group 1 races at 5f, including Flying Five and Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint; was also a neck away from winning a second Prix de l’Abbaye; acts on any going; can win more Group 1s – especially if Battaash misses Ascot.

7yo gelding; Archie Watson
Huge improver when reinvented as a sprinter last season, crowning a remarkable campaign with victory in Group 1 Champions Sprint at Ascot having gone close in the Sprint Cup; has a bit to prove on quicker ground but can be interesting in top sprints.

High Definition
3yo colt; Aidan O’Brien
Won both races last season, doing well to maintain unbeaten record in Beresford Stakes having looked to be going nowhere early in the straight; Derby favourite and looks a hugely exciting middle-distance prospect.

In Swoop
4yo colt; Francis Graffard
One of last season’s leading middle-distance three-year-olds; won the German Derby and finished a neck second behind Sottsass in the Arc, improving on his second in the Grand Prix de Paris; strong stayer at 1m4f and capable of better in a truly run race; likely to be laid out for the Arc.

Indigo Girl
3yo filly; John and Thady Gosden
Hugely exciting filly who won May Hill Stakes and looked unlucky to lose her unbeaten record in Fillies’ Mile, finishing fast having looked green when asked to pick up; versatile over ground; should thrive over middle distances and looks a big Oaks player.

Japan
5yo horse; Aidan O’Brien
World’s leading three-year-old in 2019 according to Racing Post Ratings (dual Group 1 winner) but bitterly disappointing last season; finished no better than third in five runs, including ninth in Champion Stakes last time; lots to prove but the fact he stays in training bodes well and it would be no surprise to see him bounce back at Group 1 level.

Joan Of Arc
3yo filly; Aidan O’Brien
Put herself in Classic contention when winning a maiden on the first day of the Irish turf season at the Curragh having been beaten a nose on only run last season at Dundalk; should have more to come on better ground (withdrawn on a similar surface as a two-year-old) and looks a Group filly in the making.

Lope Y Fernandez
4yo colt; Aidan O’Brien
Breezed to a Listed win first time out this season, ending a barren streak dating to August 2019, though he had been campaigned exclusively at Group 1 level, coming closest when second to Pinatubo in Prix Jean Prat; reappearance win came on just third run over a mile and might have now found his trip, with the Lockinge next.

Lord North leaves Addeybb in his wake in the the Prince of Wales's StakesCredit: Pool

Lord North
5yo gelding; John and Thady Gosden
Progressed from promising Listed winner to top middle-distance performer last season, winning the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot; also landed the Dubai Turf this March, although had failed to strike a blow in three stronger Group 1 races in between and might be vulnerable to a true world-class performer.

Love
4yo filly; Aidan O’Brien
Last season’s outstanding filly, winning all three races at Group 1 level by a combined total of nearly 20 lengths including a Classic double in the 1,000 Guineas and Oaks; missed the Arc owing to soft ground (0-3 on ground slower than good, twice when favourite); big points possible again but tougher tasks await against colts.

Lucky Vega
3yo colt; Jessica Harrington
Brilliant winner of Phoenix Stakes ; beaten favourite twice at Group 1 level subsequently but had no luck when fifth in National Stakes (only race at 7f) and ran well when a half-length second to Supremacy in the Middle Park; not far off best sprinters.

Mac Swiney
3yo colt; Jim Bolger
Battling winner of Vertem Futurity, relishing the step up to a mile on heavy ground; definite Derby contender on that evidence, although he had a patchy record beforehand and is unproven on good ground (twice well beaten on the surface).

Master Of The Seas
3yo colt; Charlie Appleby
Looked a high-class two-year-old early last season, running away with Superlative Stakes at Newmarket; only fourth when stepped up to Group 1 level in the National Stakes at the Curragh and then beaten at 4-11 at Meydan but bounced back to form in a first-time hood when winning the Craven Stakes, putting himself firmly in the 2,000 Guineas picture.

Mishriff
4yo colt; John and Thady Gosden
Did brilliantly in 2020, winning Prix du Jockey Club, and showed he had come on again with outstanding wins in the Saudi Cup and Sheema Classic this year; displayed remarkable versatility to beat top-class fields on dirt and turf over 1m2f and 1m4f and should now be a big player in all top middle-distance races.

Mogul
4yo colt; Aidan O’Brien
Long held in high regard and has demonstrated his class in patches, running away with the Grand Prix de Paris from subsequent Arc runner-up In Swoop and later landing the Hong Kong Vase easily; disappointing run in the Sheema Classic at Meydan first time out this year demonstrated ongoing inconsistency but could win more Group 1 races at his best.

Mother Earth took huge strides forward as a juvenile last seasonCredit: Patrick McCann

Mother Earth
3yo filly; Aidan O’Brien
Proved tough and durable last season, finishing on a high at the end of a remarkably busy year; took a big step forward when third in the Fillies’ Mile (infamously part of the ‘wrong horse’ mix-up) and backed that up when second in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf; just the type of Ballydoyle filly to surprise in top races.

Mutasaabeq
3yo colt; Charlie Hills
Out of a 1,000 Guineas winner and shot into Classic contention with a runaway six-length win in a 7f novice first time out at Newmarket; bounced off good ground that day but had also won sole start as a two-year-old on heavy at Newbury; needs to be supplemented for the 2,000 Guineas.

One Ruler
3yo colt; Charlie Appleby
Progressed into a smart two-year-old last season, peaking with a smooth win over subsequent Group 1 winner Van Gogh in the Autumn Stakes; just outstayed on heavy ground by Mac Swiney when second (6-4 favourite) in the Vertem Futurity Trophy; well backed recently for the 2,000 Guineas so fascinating to see how he fares.

Order Of Australia
4yo colt; Aidan O’Brien
Pulled off a 40-1 upset in last season’s Breeders’ Cup Mile, relishing a drop in trip (has won over as far as 1m4f) and quicker ground (had flopped on soft on previous run); failed to back up that form when only sixth in the Hong Kong Mile so has a bit to prove now in top European mile races.

Oxted
5yo gelding; Roger Teal
Bridged the gap from handicap to Group 1 company last year, following up reappearance win by landing the July Cup; best on quick ground but ran better on soft than connections feared when Champions Sprint fifth despite racing keenly; disappointing in Saudi Arabia in February and that trip might have left a mark when beaten in the Abernant first time out.

Palace Pier
4yo colt; John and Thady Gosden
Brilliant miler, unbeaten in first five races, including the St James’s Palace Stakes and Prix Jacques le Marois last season; major disappointment when only third at odds-on in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (didn’t move well on soft ground) but put that behind him with an impressive reappearance win in the bet365 Mile; looks a big player again in the mile division.

Pretty Gorgeous
3yo filly; Joseph O’Brien
Ran with huge distinction in all the top juvenile fillies’ races last season and deservedly won Fillies’ Mile; seemed to relish being back on soft ground that day having twice finished second behind Shale on good; big, imposing filly who should continue to thrive as a three-year-old, although unlikely to stay much beyond a mile.

Sacred (centre) wins the Nell Gwyn Stakes on her return to actionCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Sacred
3yo filly; William Haggas
Nearly horse last season, finishing second three times at Group 2 level, but went one better first time out when winning Nell Gwyn Stakes; set to run in 1,000 Guineas but hadn’t looked a likely stayer last season (outstayed by Miss Amulet in Lowther Stakes and reverted to 5f when pipped in Flying Childers) and might ultimately end up sprinting again.

Santa Barbara
3yo filly; Aidan O’Brien
Half-sister to Group 1 winners Order Of Australia and Iridessa who looked similarly talented when overcoming greenness to comfortably win a mile maiden at the Curragh on sole start last season; already a warm 1,000 Guineas favourite and expected to stay further; could be a superstar for a trainer known for prolific fillies.

Santiago
4yo colt; Aidan O’Brien
Smooth winner of last season’s Irish Derby, showing impressive speed given the rest of his form came over further; won the Queen’s Vase before slightly underwhelming runs when third and fourth in the Goodwood Cup and St Leger respectively but trainer sees him as a Cup horse and generally knows what’s required.

Sir Ron Priestley
5yo horse; Mark Johnston
Did brilliantly to shrug off 18-month layoff when winning a 1m6f Listed race at Nottingham on his return; had been hugely progressive when last seen in 2019, winning three in a row before a fine second in the St Leger; likely to step up to Cup races, though trainer also sees him dropping to 1m4f successfully.

Snow Lantern
3yo filly; Richard Hannon
Beautifully bred filly (by Frankel out of 1,000 Guineas winner Sky Lantern) who finished second on her only run last season before getting off the mark in impressive fashion at Newbury first time out; held in high regard by her trainer and had been considered for 1,000 Guineas, although her owner favours a more patient approach.

St Mark’s Basilica
3yo colt; Aidan O’Brien
Half-brother to 2,000 Guineas winner Magna Grecia who was last season’s top two-year-old on Racing Post Ratings; won just twice in five races but got better with every run, turning the tables on National Stakes winner Thunder Moon when landing the Dewhurst on soft ground (had gained maiden win on soft; likely player in 2,000 Guineas and top mile races.

Stradivarius
7yo horse; John and Thady Gosden
Brilliant stayer who has dominated Britain’s top long-distance races in recent seasons, with three wins in the Gold Cup to go with four Goodwood Cups; not quite able to repeat that form when dropped in trip last year and found Champions Day coming too soon after Arc seventh; again sets the standard in top staying races.

Subjectivist
4yo colt; Mark Johnston
Has progressed into top-class stayer; signed off last season with an all-the-way win in Prix Royal-Oak and started this year with runaway victory in the Dubai Gold Cup; trainer aiming him at the Gold Cup and Goodwood Cup, although he faces a huge task to knock Stradivarius off his perch.

Supremacy
3yo colt; Clive Cox
Completed 6f hat-trick when landing Middle Park Stakes, gamely following up runaway victory in the Richmond Stakes; prominent in 2,000 Guineas market but far from certain to get a mile; trainer has a fine record with young sprinters, especially in the Commonwealth Cup.

Tarnawa (nearside) swoops under Christophe Soumillon to land the Prix de l'OperaCredit: Edward Whitaker

Tarnawa
5yo mare, Dermot Weld
Outstanding middle-distance filly who won last season’s Breeders’ Cup Turf, crowning a meteoric rise with a third straight Group 1 victory after the Prix Vermeille and Prix de l’Opera; has won six of her last seven in all, proving adept at 1m2f and 1m4f; looks a big player in Group 1 fillies’ races and perhaps against the boys.

Teona
3yo filly; Roger Varian
Bumped into a smart prospect when second on her debut at Newcastle (well backed) and soon went one better, hacking up by nine lengths when stepped up to 1m2f at the same track; should do well over middle distances and could be an Oaks filly.

The Revenant
6yo gelding; Francis Graffard
Prolific French gelding who has won eight of last ten races and made up for sole defeat when winning Queen Elizabeth II Stakes having finished second in 2019; has been fragile and largely kept to soft or heavy, suffering a rare defeat first time out on good; likely to be one for the autumn again.

Thunder Moon
3yo colt; Joseph O’Brien
Spectacular winner of last season’s National Stakes, showing a brilliant turn of foot to beat the subsequent Dewhurst one-two after being short of room; failed to confirm that form when only third at Newmarket when reportedly unsuited by soft ground; leading 2,000 Guineas contender.

Van Gogh
3yo colt; Aidan O’Brien
Tough and progressive juvenile last season; had finished second in three Group races before breaking through in Criterium International at Saint-Cloud, hacking up by four lengths on heavy; big colt with more to offer as a three-year-old and should be one of the very best middle-distance colts.

Waldkonig
4yo colt; John and Thady Gosden
Disappointed last season, having begun year as a leading Derby hope, put away after just two runs and has rewarded patience; made a winning return at Pontefract and took a steep rise in class in his stride in landing the Gordon Richards Stakes; should continue to progress.

Wembley
3yo colt; Aidan O’Brien
Won just once in six runs last season but gradually developed into a high-class two-year-old, finishing second in two Group 1 races; looked unlucky in the Dewhurst Stakes when making a big move from far back away from the favoured rail; should stay middle distances and looks surefire Group 1 colt over a mile and beyond.

Willow
3yo filly; Aidan O’Brien
Progressed with every run last season and got off mark with a commanding victory in a Leopardstown mile maiden at on her final run; praised by her rider following that win and looks ready for a crack at black-type company, most likely over middle distances; nibbled at in Oaks market.

Wordsworth
3yo colt; Aidan O’Brien
Comfortably won 1m2f maiden at the Curragh first time out this year, going one better than when a close second to Derby favourite High Definition on sole run last season; seems sure to come on for the run (reportedly had a good blow afterwards) and should benefit from step up to 1m4f; could be a Derby horse.

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